Mental and behavioural disorders account for 19% of the global burden of disease - WHO

It is estimated that nearly 450 million people suffer from a mental or behavioural disorder in the world - WHO

Nearly 10% of total population suffers from these disorders - WHO

Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.

Nearly 1% of the Indian population suffer from serious mental & behavioural disorders and 10% from moderate disorders, requiring psychiatric help.

By 2020 mental depression will be largest cause of disabilty worldwide and by 2025 it may overtake heart diseases as the biggest health concern - WHO

About half of mental disorders begin before the age of 14 - WHO

Around 20% of the world's children and adolescents are estimated to have mental disorders or problems - WHO

Bipolar Disorder

No Worry No Tension Healthcare specialise in online handling of Bipolar disorders, whose roots are usually linked to biochemical imbalance in the brain. Heredity and environmental stimuli are also responsible factors.

Bipolar disorder is a medical problem like hypertension or diabetes. In this disorder, the afflicted person experiences unusual shifts in mood from one extreme of depression to other extreme of elation, shift in energy or activity levels or suffer from inability to carry out day-to-day tasks. It can affect men and women equally. These "mood swings," can last for hours, days, weeks or months.

Our psychiatrists offer successful treatment for a wide variety of Bipolar disorders, thus helping people to lead full and productive lives. No Worry No Tension Healthcare online consultancy facility is available to patients from all parts of the world.

The early warning signs for bipolar disorder are slight changes in mood, sexual interest, memory, concentration, appetite, sleep patterns, sex drive, self-esteem, thoughts of death or those of sudden optimism. Additionally, one can suffer from anxiety, substance abuse, and health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, migraines, and high blood pressure.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder, when severe, can often result in ruptured relationships, poor performances at job or educational fronts. Suicides can happen in extreme cases. Therefore, time is of essence in treating such victims.

With early treatment, the possibility of excellent recovery and subsequently patient leading a normal life is very high. Among the treatment options available include medicines, counselling, family support, and psychosocial management.

The concerned patient must strictly follow the doctor’s advice and follow-up visits, take right medication dutifully, and make lifestyle modifications.

The malady of bipolar disorder can affect any one irrespective of cast, creed, religion or nationality. In our practice, we have had many world famous celebrities who suffer from bipolar disorder.

While medication is the mainstay of treatment, therapy and self-help strategies also play a role. One must exercise regularly, get enough sleep, eat right and monitor one’s moods.

Bipolar disorder usually begins in early adulthood, although it can sometimes start in early childhood, adolescence or as late as the 40s or 50s.

It has been found that the chances of having Bipolar Disorder are somewhat higher if one has a biological relative with the illness.

Four different kinds of mood episodes may occur - Mood Swings:

Manic Episode - This involves feeling high or irritable, having increased activity and heightened energy levels, having racing thoughts, increased creativity, being easily distracted, needing little sleep, having an inflated feeling of power or importance, or doing reckless things including spending more.

Hypomanic Episode: It is a milder form of mania having an elevated mood, yet with less severe symptoms and less impairment.

Major Depressive Episode: A persistent, pervasive pattern of feeling sad, losing interest in things one normally enjoys, lasting at least two weeks. This is associated with altered sleep patterns, lethargy, loss of energy, problems concentrating, decreased or increased appetite, feeling slowed down. Ideas of hopelessness, worthlessness and suicide may be associated depending on the severity of the episode.

Immediate professional help must be sought from a mental health expert in case of suspected illness.

Bipolar Disorder

What is it?

Symptoms

Causes

Treatment

Medication

Disorder

What is it?

Bipolar disorder is a mental condition that causes one’s mood to fluctuate between mania and depression. It is characterised by unusual shifts in mood and energy levels. Bipolar disorder is also sometimes called manic-depressive illness.

Environmental factors: Abuse, mental stress, significant loss, or some other traumatic event may contribute towards bipolar disorder risk. Traumatic events may include the death of a loved one, losing your job, the birth of a child, or moving house.

Physical Issues: Hypothyroidism , Cancer, AIDS, Chronic pain

Lifestyle: Irregular sleep, poor diet, and lack of exercise

Use of Intoxicants: Nicotine, alcohol, tobacco, gutka and other illegal drugs

Types of bipolar disorder

Bipolar I Disorder: In this, one or more manic episodes or mixed episodes that are not explained by another medical conditions, that are not the result of medications or other substances show.

Bipolar II Disorder: In this, the occurrence of one or more major depressive episodes accompanied by at least one hypomanic episode shows. Symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in work, at school, or in other personal endeavours. Frequently, people with bipolar II disorder do not recall their manic episodes.

Cyclothymic Disorder: Cyclothymic disorder causes mood swings that are less severe than those of bipolar I or bipolar II. Symptoms include rapid changes in mood and are common in people who have their first episodes at a younger age.

Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified: Someone may be diagnosed with this classification of bipolar disorder if he or she has too few symptoms or has symptoms that do not last long enough to meet the diagnostic criteria for other bipolar disorders.

What is the available treatment?

The treatment for bipolar disorder is possible and includes medications or counselling or both and varies from person to person and depends on the severity of the illness.

Are there side-effects of medication?

There are manageable side effects if any, but all these medicines should be taken only after professional consultation and blood checks are mandatory at regular intervals.

Self help in bipolar disorder?

Get educated: Learn as much as one can about bipolar disorder. The more one know, the better one will be at assisting one’s own recovery.